Cecilio CVA-500 Solidwood Ebony Fitted Viola with D'Addario Prelude Strings, Size 14-Inch
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Cecilio |
Size | 14-inch |
Color | Satin Antique |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 32.5 x 12 x 6 inches |
Top Material Type | Spruce |
Back Material Type | Wood, Ebony, Spruce Wood |
Finish Type | Satin, antique |
Instrument | Violin |
Operation Mode | Manual |
Number of Strings | 4 |
About this item
- Size 14 inch viola, solid hand-carved spruce top, flamed maple back & sides, beautiful inlaid purfling & satin antique finish
- Strung with D'Addario Prelude Strings (Note: Does not include extra set of strings.)
- Ebony fingerboard, pegs, chinrest, and tailpiece with 4 detachable nickel plated fine tuners
- Includes: Cecilio chromatic tuner, a lightweight hard case, a Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, quality rosin cake, and a bridge
- 1 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer's Defects
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This Item Cecilio CVA-500 Solidwood Ebony Fitted Viola with D'Addario Prelude Strings, Size 14-Inch | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | -31% $187.99$187.99 List: $272.99 | $210.00$210.00 | $210.00$210.00 | -5% $24.70$24.70 List: $25.99 | -31% $60.99$60.99 List: $87.99 | $27.99$27.99 |
Delivery | Get it Apr 1 - 4 | Get it Apr 8 - 19 | Get it Apr 8 - 19 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it Mar 29 - Apr 3 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Value for money | 4.3 | — | — | 4.3 | 3.4 | 4.1 |
Sold By | KK Music Store | yinfente | yinfente | Music Supplies Now | KK Music Store | Mi&Vi Inc |
instrument | Violin | Violin | Violin | Violin | Violin | — |
size | 14-inch | 16.5 | 15inch | 1 Pack | 16-in. | Viola 15"-17" |
number of strings | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
operation mode | Manual | Hand | Hand | Manual | Manual | Manual |
top material | Spruce | Maple, Spruce, Ebony | Maple, Spruce, Ebony | — | Maple, Spruce | Maple |
back material | Wood, Ebony, Spruce Wood | Ebony, Spruce Wood | Ebony, Spruce Wood | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Maple, Wood, Spruce Wood | Wood |
string material | — | Nylon | Nylon | — | Alloy Steel | — |
finish type | Satin, antique | Unfinished | Unfinished | Powder Coated | Varnish | — |
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Product information
Item Weight | 4.69 pounds |
---|---|
Product Dimensions | 32.5 x 12 x 6 inches |
ASIN | B00EOYKETU |
Item model number | DA_14"CVA-500+92D |
Batteries | 2 AAA batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #34,458 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #3 in Acoustic Violas |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | August 19, 2013 |
Back Material | Wood, Ebony, Spruce Wood |
Color Name | Satin Antique |
Top Material | Spruce |
Number of Strings | 4 |
Size | 14-inch |
Battery type | Zinc |
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What's in the box
Product Description
Teacher approved Cecilio CVA-500 viola features a hand carved solid spruce top and solid flamed maple back and sides. Finished with a beautiful satin antique finish and inlaid purfling. The CVA-500 viola is strung with a set of D'Addario Prelude Strings and is fitted with ebony fingerboard, pegs, chinrest, and tailpiece with nickel plated fine tuners. Viola package includes Cecilio chromatic tuner with metronome, a lightweight form fitting hard shell case with pockets and strap (making it convenient to carry to school or orchestra), a Brazil wood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, quality rosin cake, and a bridge. Buy with confidence as it comes with a 1- year warranty against any manufacturer's defects.
From the manufacturer
Cecilio CVA-500 Viola
Teacher approved Cecilio CVA-500 viola features a hand carved solid spruce top and solid flamed maple back and sides. Finished with a beautiful satin antique finish and inlaid purfling. The CVA-500 viola is strung with a set of D'Addario Prelude Strings and is fitted with ebony fingerboard, pegs, chinrest, and tailpiece with nickel plated fine tuners. Viola package includes Cecilio chromatic tuner with metronome, a lightweight form fitting hard shell case with pockets and strap (making it convenient to carry to school or orchestra), a Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, quality rosin cake, and a bridge. Buy with confidence as it comes with a 1- year warranty against any manufacturer's defects.
How to choose viola sizes
Our violas are available in 7 different sizes: 16.5", 16" (also known as full size), 15.5", 15", 14", 13" and 12". 16.5" viola is the biggest and 12" viola is the smallest. Most adults use 16" violas.
To measure what size viola best suits you, you need to know the length between your neck and the middle of your left-hand palm (when your hand is fully extended and raised perpendicular to your body, just like holding a violin). Most of the teachers prefer students to use the length from the neck to the wrist for measurement instead of the neck to mid-palm approach. The viola size determined by the neck/wrist approach would be the size that is more comfortable for students to hold. The viola size determined by the neck/mid-palm approach would be the biggest size students should use.
The following table lists the length of each viola size. Find your length using your preferred approach and use that to determine the size of viola to get.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the appearance, value, and completeness of the viola. For example, they mention it's beautiful, comes with an extra set of strings, and is a great product for the price. That said, opinions are mixed on the quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the stringed instruments. They say it has a nice sound, the tone is satisfactory, and it does play and make sound. Some customers also mention that the viola produces nice, deep, and mellow tones.
"...Finally, how does this viola sound? It sounds beautiful! Nice, deep, mellow tones that I associate with the viola come out of this instrument - even..." Read more
"...You might not fill the concert hall as a soloist but it's plenty loud enough for orchestra or ensemble or session playing and doesn't make my ears..." Read more
"...I can make notes on it without it screeching and I think they sound pretty good (smooth, resonant)...." Read more
"...Perfect craftsmanship, a decent sound for beginners and even into college. Bow is so so but can be upgraded later...." Read more
Customers find the viola to be a great product for the price. They say it's an excellent money-saving experience, and they're not disappointed with the money spent. The violo is a good quality for the money, and is regarded as a solid purchase for beginners.
"This is an amazing viola considering how cheap it is!..." Read more
"...The price made the whim easy to justify - I can always donate it if it doesn't work out. A few swipes of fine grit sandpaper got the rosin started...." Read more
"...Bow is so so but can be upgraded later. The case in of itself is worth half the price...." Read more
"...What I can say is I’m not disappointed with the money spent, intonation is all up to you the player on a fret less instrument, this one seams to..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the viola. They mention that it is beautiful, has solid workmanship, and the case is nice. The ebony fingerboard is nice, and it has a remarkable French bow. The interior of the case has champagne velvet finish.
"...Finally, how does this viola sound? It sounds beautiful! Nice, deep, mellow tones that I associate with the viola come out of this instrument - even..." Read more
"...The ebony pegs are just fine and the strings were wound beautifully..." Read more
"...Bow is so so but can be upgraded later. The case in of itself is worth half the price...." Read more
"...The finish of the older one is darker. The newer one is orangier. This demonstrates how unique each of these violas are." Read more
Customers appreciate that the viola comes with everything they need to start playing. They say it's a complete set that comes with an extra set of strings and the bridge pre installed.
"...He loves it and so do we. It’s decent quality and comes with everything you’ll need." Read more
"...Back pack straps and cushioned carry handle.Came with extra set of strings also!..." Read more
"...is not great but for this price acceptable, this one came with the bridge pre installed, though the sound post seams to be placed in the wrong..." Read more
"Nice, complete set, good quality for the price, including the bow. Extra set of strings and a really nice case. The tuner not user friendly" Read more
Customers are satisfied with the case of the stringed instruments. They mention that it is a great ideal of choice. However, some customers report that the case was nice when it arrived, but something fell out.
"...on this viola , and it fits the bill and then some ... Great value, a case, a bridge,Strings ( we will up grade maybe ) a bow, rosin, a fair tuner..." Read more
"...But this does come with a nice case, rosin, and tuner/metronome to get you started...." Read more
"I waited for it to come and was delighted when it arrived.... The case was nice but something fell out and it was then that I realized that the..." Read more
"...The case is a great ideal of choice. The tuner/metronome are very accurate and the bow is a remarkable french bow...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the depth of the stringed instruments. They mention that it's deep, rich, and mellow.
"...Finally, how does this viola sound? It sounds beautiful! Nice, deep, mellow tones that I associate with the viola come out of this instrument - even..." Read more
"...The sound on the 16" CVA-500 is absolutely amazing: Deep, rich and mellow...." Read more
"...The instrument was very nice, I hope it works out this time. Thank you" Read more
"strings keep coming loose. knobs begin to turn on their own... Nice overall, but a pain to have to re-tune every single time." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the violin. Some mention it's a decent quality and comes with everything they need, while others say that the sounds are good, the bow is rubbish, and the finish is not great. Some say that it was damaged and a string broke in the first 5 minutes they started playing.
"...The bow is surprisingly decent. It has a nice curve to it - not too curved, not too straight - and the hairs are not falling out all over the place...." Read more
"...bows which I didn't use -- because I have others -- and the tuner which works great)...." Read more
"...I was not impressed with the elecyronic tuner that came with it but I had access to a keyboard so I didn't spend much time trying to get it to work...." Read more
"...He loves it and so do we. It’s decent quality and comes with everything you’ll need." Read more
Customers have negative opinions about the tuning of the stringed instruments. They mention that the tuner is not user friendly, the string had issues, and it's a pain to have to re-tune. Some customers also report that the instrument is missing a tuner.
"...So lightweight. Trying to tune it was terrible. On string busted and another was barely holding on. Will be returning it." Read more
"...Then I realized something--the tuner doesn't help you tune a viola. It is for guitars, violins, and cellos...." Read more
"...Tedious, but not impossible or hard. Tuning this instrument is easy. The pegs are easy to turn, and the fine tuners help...." Read more
"...No instrument to warranty. Very frustrating. I'd bought books too.... Just another reminder that the whole thing was a waste of money and time...." Read more
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After doing tons of research online (and despite the dire warnings in the music teacher's note home against buying instruments online) I picked this 14" Cecilio viola as the best candidate for my budget and current needs. The viola arrived on time and in good shape. It came with all the pieces shown in the picture and mentioned in the description. I love that it came with the D'Addario strings already on it and somewhat tightened so I didn't have to work too hard to carefully stretch the strings while tuning it and playing with it over the next few days after I received the instrument. The case is a standard, canvas-like covering over a foam core with cream-colored velveteen fabric on the inside. It's just big enough for the viola with 2 slots for bows, and a small compartment at the end for the extra bridge, rosin, tuner, some extra strings, and a rubber mute (Gotta have one of those! ;) heh, heh!). There is barely space for the shoulder rest, but I wasn't thrilled with how it rests right on the tuning pegs and neck. There is a small pocket on the outside of the case, but it is barely big enough to fit my daughter's music book without zipping it entirely shut. I was skeptical about the tuner, but after testing it with several other tuners I have, it was consistent with all of the decent ones, so I let my daughter practice tuning her viola with it. The rosin isn't anything fancy, but I've encountered worse. I say it's good enough to start with, but would recommend getting a nicer block as soon as possible. The extra bridge is also meh, but again, that is easily replaceable with a nicer one should I feel the need to do so. The bow is surprisingly decent. It has a nice curve to it - not too curved, not too straight - and the hairs are not falling out all over the place. It also has a nice weight to it. I feel it may be a smidge heavy for my daughter, but she seems to like it and plays well enough with it.
Now, the viola itself. I must admit, I was surprised at the color when I first opened it. It seemed much more orangey than I anticipated. I was thinking it was going to be a medium reddish-brown, but it is more of a dark pumpkin orange-brown. It's not a color I associate with classy string instruments, but that's a minor detail for a student instrument. The back does appear to be flamed, so it does have that nice striped/flamed pattern on it. The tuning pegs were all a bit loose, but a little rosin on them tightened them up just fine. The chinrest is a fairly low-profile off-centered one and works well enough with my daughter's small neck. The tailpiece is sturdy with 4 metal fine tuners already mounted on it. I would have preferred built-in fine tuners, but that is also something that can be changed out later if I want to. I can't easily tell if the purflings really are inlaid like they said they are in the description, but there are spots here and there that make me think they are.
Initial setup of the instrument involved a bit of fussing with it. I would not say it was ready to play straight out of the box, but there was nothing wrong with it that I couldn't do myself. I did have to straighten and center the bridge a bit, and I mentioned having to rosin the pegs. That involved loosening and taking each string off, rubbing the peg along the rosin a few times, then putting the peg and string back on. Tedious, but not impossible or hard. Tuning this instrument is easy. The pegs are easy to turn, and the fine tuners help. The D'Addario strings keep in tune beautifully, so I'm glad I paid a bit extra for them.
Finally, how does this viola sound? It sounds beautiful! Nice, deep, mellow tones that I associate with the viola come out of this instrument - even when my daughter first started bowing on it. ;) heh, heh! There is a good resonance that I can feel when I play it. It sounds so pretty that even my husband doesn't mind hearing our daughter scratching away on it, and we haven't had to use the mute yet. Just for fun, I restrung one of my spare violins as a viola (I read online that some people do that as a substitute for a 14" viola), and compared the sound. There is no comparison. The real viola is so much more deep and resonant than the violin-strung-as-a-viola.
Now, I know this doesn't even begin to touch a professional viola's sound and quality, but I bought this for my 9 year old daughter. She only needs something that can produce decent tones, and this viola amply fills that need. Even her music teacher was surprised at the quality of the instrument despite it being bought online. My daughter says he often uses her instrument to demonstrate something during class, so I assume he's okay with it. She's been playing on it for a little over 3 months, now, and is still going on strong. I will update this review later if there is more to add.
If I had one complaint it would be about the case. I mean; it's basically a styrofoam shipping container with glued-on crushed velour, black rip-stop and some zippers. I have no doubt that it will keep the instrument safe enough and temperature insulated but I will probably buy a different case. It's not worthy of such a beautiful thing. On the other hand, a decent case usually costs about as much as this whole package so it would be unrealistic to get a good case AND a well-built viola with quality components at this price. (not to mention the chin rest, rosin and two bows which I didn't use -- because I have others -- and the tuner which works great).
tl;dr: buy this, save yourself a heap of $, and prepare to be blown away by the sound. You won't be disappointed, and you might never play the violin again.